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Today in Flyers History: May 7 |
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Today in Flyers History: Delmore's Playoff Hat Trick
The finest moments of offensive-minded defenseman Andy Delmore's NHL career came during the Philadelphia Flyers' 2000 Eastern Conference semifinal against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In Game Three, Delmore scored a pair of goals including one in overtime as the Flyers won for the first time in the series.
After the visiting Flyers prevailed in an epic five-overtime marathon in Game Four, the tied series returned to Philadelphia. On the afternoon of Game Five, Delmore bettered his Game Two heroics by racking up a power play goal and two even-strength tallies in a 6-3 Flyers romp.
Delmore's first goal gave the Flyers' a 2-0 lead in the first period, as he found the mark on a slap shot from the point. He scored his second late in the second period, pinching down to the slot to receive a John LeClair pass and beat goaltender Ron Tugnutt up high to open a 5-1 lead. He finished off the hat trick at 5:17 of the third period.
The 23-year-old Delmore became the first NHL rookie defenseman -and the first Flyers defenseman - to score a playoff hat trick. He also became the first NHL rookie defenseman to have two multi-goal games in a playoff series.
The Flyers would go on to close out the series with a 2-1 win in Game Six in Pittsburgh.
May 7: Through the Years
1974: In Game One of the 1974 Stanley Cup Final, the Flyers lose a 3-2 heartbreaker to the Bruins at Boston Garden. After Philly battles back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game on goals by Orest Kindrachuk and Bobby Clarke, the game seems headed for overtime. Instead, the legendary Bobby Orr scores with 22 seconds left in regulation to send Philly to defeat. That sets up a virtual must-win Game Two for the Flyers, who have not won even once in Boston since Nov. 12, 1967.
1985: The Flyers knot their Wales Conference Final series with the Quebec Nordiques at one game apiece with a 4-2 win at Le Colisee. A shorthanded goal by Dave Poulin starts things off for Philly, who later get goals by Murray Craven (two-point game),Ilkka Sinisalo and Joe Paterson. Pelle Lindbergh nails down the win with a 27-save performance.
1995: Playing without the injured Eric Lindros, the Flyers open their first playoff series since 1989 with a 4-3 overtime win at the Spectrum against the Buffalo Sabres in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. On an afternoon where neither John LeClair nor Mikael Renberg get on the scoreboard, the Flyers' supporting case enables the team to come back from a pair of one-goal deficits to defeat Dominik Hasek and the Sabres. Ron DiMaio, Brent Fedyk and Kevin Haller score in regulation before Karl Dykhuis nets the game winner at 10:06 of overtime. Rod Brind'Amour sets up the Haller and Dykhuis goals.
1997: The Flyers open a commanding three games to zero lead in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series with the Buffalo Sabres, earning a 4-1 win in Game Three at the CoreStates Center. A three-goal outburst in the first period by Eric Lindros, Dale Hawerchuk and Rod Brind'Amour puts Philly in control. Garth Snow stops 16 of 17 shots, and Eric Desjardins' late empty-netter seals the win. Philly goes 6-for-7 on the penalty kill.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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